Thinking about Patterns and Trends

Strategy/Challenge: Speculate the rest of the trend/pattern

Catalyst for Thinking: Chloropleth Map

Description:
Global Data
HIV Prevalence # of cars/telephones per capita
Gross Domestic Product Income per capita
Literacy rates
Objectives (purpose)
· Interpret given data and speculate on continued patterns and trends

Connect to students' previous knowledge
Cholopleth map
Anomalies

Steps and Instructions
1 prepare selected map, overhead or PowerPoint
Present students with a sample choropleth map indicating some sort of global data in a context student may be familiar with (e.g. number of doctors per capita). When selecting the map ensure that a global pattern will be apparent to students and select which part of the map will be hidden, and which part will be visible.

2 connect to previous knowledge
Make connections to previous knowledge about interpreting choropleth maps, and vocabulary relating to the selected sample map. Review mapping conventions as necessary.

3 introduce task
Share with students the challenge: Speculate on the pattern on the hidden portion of the map.
· Review map conventions. Drawing attention to the legend, title and date of map. Suggest that it is important o identify patterns and trends using the evidence that is available.

4 build criteria for speculation

Provide students with the partial concealed world map of Doctors per capita - do we have this? could you upload it or provide the link?
Offer students the following interpretation of the data
a) Poor nations have few Doctors per capita
b) Wealthy countries have many Doctors per capita

Invite students to confirm that the following criteria plausible. - do you mean "invite them to confirm that the above interpretations are plausible"?

Invite students to speculate what trends and patterns have been concealed for the remainder of the map. Using the following guiding questions - these questions are useful - could we adapt a graphic organizer that we already have (or create a new one) that would lead them through this thinking? - your graphic organizer below is a good start - take a look at the graphic organizer in TGT - pg. 98 - could this work if we adapted it? - i.e. what conclusions can I make based on the revealed part of the map (the first column would have to change to reflect your questions below), then, what supporting data, add a column re: what are my speculations about the rest of the map... or something like that?

Look at individual countries/colours and articulate the visible pattern
What does this pattern imply?
Why does the pattern exist for the portion of the map revealed?
What insight does the map give you into the situation in the country?
Identify and provide possible explanation for any anomalies?

Speculate how the pattern would continue on the hidden portion of the map.

Based on their answers suggest that they have uncovered criteria for plausible speculation as well as potential anomalies.

Highlight Criteria for Speculate:

· Makes sense - makes sense in terms of our prior knowledge?
· Consistent with rest of data
· Matches context or theme - I think we'll have to reword this one so it's clear to kids

Title/Date of Map:
Prompt Questions
Evidence
· Articulate the visible pattern.

· What does this pattern imply?

· Why does the pattern exist for the portion of the map revealed?

· What insight does the map give you into the situation in the country?

· What insight does the map give you into the situation in the country?

Criteria for Speculate
Evidence
· Makes sense

· Consistent with rest of data

· Matches context or theme

Speculation:




5 Practice and apply plausible speculation

Invite students to select another chloropleth map and practice this skill